The curtain came down on the second NBA Rising Stars Invitational on Sunday as Japan’s Seika Girls’ High School and South Korea’s Kyungbock High School were crowned champions after an unforgettable week of international school basketball at Singapore’s OCBC Arena.

Across five days of competition, teams from around the Asia-Pacific region showcased not only their basketball talent but also the spirit of sportsmanship, cultural exchange and personal growth that has defined this year’s tournament. In front of a sell-out crowd, both championship games delivered memorable moments before the tournament concluded with individual honours recognising the competition’s standout performers.

The girls’ championship began with Yang Ming Girls’ High School showing no signs of being overwhelmed by the occasion. The Taiwanese side came out aggressively, taking the first-quarter lead and forcing defending champions Seika Girls’ High School to settle into the contest. But once the Japanese champions found their rhythm in the second quarter, they took complete control.

Relentless defensive pressure and wave after wave of transition offence allowed Seika to steadily pull away before eventually securing a commanding 106-56 victory to successfully defend their NBA Rising Stars Invitational title.

Despite the result, Yang Ming captain Heng Su remained proud of her team’s resilience throughout the tournament. “As a team, we will always work together and pull through any difficulties,” she said. “We are not a team that just gives up when things get hard.

For Seika captain Chinatsu Uchiyae, the tournament represented much more than lifting another trophy. “There were a lot of learnings from today, especially the first half. It was a tight game mentally, and that’s something we can definitely bring back,” she said. “Overall, it’s been a good experience to be able to talk to people from all over the world.”

Leading Seika’s championship run was Buba Aisha Ezzine, whose outstanding performances throughout the week earned her Finals MVP honours, the Defensive Player of the Tournament award and the Girls’ Sportsmanship Award.

The boys’ championship promised to be a clash of styles between South Korea’s Kyungbock High School and Japan’s Tottori Johoku High School, with NBA champions Jeremy Lin and Mitch Richmond, alongside WNBA legend Lauren Jackson, watching courtside.

Tottori made the brighter start, opening the game by knocking down three consecutive three-pointers to seize an early advantage. Their confident perimeter shooting forced Kyungbock into an early timeout as the Korean side searched for answers against the hot start.

It was a reminder that finals are rarely straightforward. However, once Kyungbock settled into the game, the tournament’s most consistent team began to show why it had remained unbeaten throughout the week. The Korean champions tightened their defence, controlled the rebounding battle and gradually imposed their physicality inside. By halftime they had turned a narrow first-quarter deficit into a 44-35 lead, with momentum firmly on their side.

The second half followed a familiar script. Every time Tottori threatened to mount a comeback, Kyungbock responded with disciplined ball movement, timely shooting and defensive stops. Their ability to maintain composure while managing the game’s tempo gradually stretched the lead beyond 20 points midway through the fourth quarter.

Tottori continued to fight until the final buzzer, even knocking down two late three-pointers to reduce the margin, but the outcome was no longer in doubt. When the final horn sounded, Kyungbock celebrated a deserved 82-72 victory to claim the boys’ championship.

Tottori captain Genji Fukumoto believed the physical battle ultimately proved decisive. “As a team, I think we lost out on the physical side of things today,” he said. “Because we were outmatched physically, they kept beating us to the rebounds. It makes me realise that we need to train much harder, both in terms of physicality and our mental approach to the game.”

Kyungbock captain Yoon Jiwon, who finished with a dominant 36-point double-double and was named Finals MVP, reflected on what the title meant after an emotional week. “Before coming to Singapore, we had several teammates who couldn’t make the trip, so there was a lot of pressure on us,” he said. “That made winning this championship even more meaningful.”

Asked about his MVP performance, Yoon was quick to credit those around him. “This is an individual award, but I couldn’t have achieved it without my coaches and teammates,” he said. “Our coaches prepared us so well, and my teammates trusted me throughout the tournament. This victory belongs to all of us.”

The closing ceremony also celebrated individual excellence across the week. Seika’s Buba Aisha Ezzine capped a remarkable tournament by winning the Girls’ Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Tournament and Sportsmanship Award while also earning First Team All-Tournament honours.

In the boys’ division, Kyungbock’s Yoon Jiwon was named Finals MVP after leading his side to the championship, while Tottori Johoku’s Philemon Homtapwa Talmon received the Defensive Player of the Tournament award. Tsinghua University High School’s Wang Junzheng earned the Boys’ Sportsmanship Award.

The All-Tournament teams reflected the diversity of talent on display, recognising players from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, China and beyond.

While two teams ultimately lifted the trophies, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational once again proved to be about far more than wins and losses.

Throughout the week, players repeatedly spoke about learning from different playing styles, building friendships across borders and experiencing an international tournament unlike anything available in their home countries. Coaches highlighted the value of exposing young athletes to elite competition, while fans packed the OCBC Arena to celebrate basketball alongside appearances from NBA and WNBA legends, live entertainment and community events.

As the confetti settled and medals were handed out, Seika Girls’ High School and Kyungbock High School departed Singapore as worthy champions. But every team left with something equally valuable: new experiences, lasting memories and a clearer understanding of the standard required to compete on the international stage.

For the second edition of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, that may be the tournament’s greatest success.

Photo Credit: NBA Rising Stars Invitational

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational takes place from 23rd to 28th June 2026 at OCBC Arena, The Kallang. Tickets available here